Nectarine tree name ‘Nectaroyal’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, denominated ‘Nectaroyal’, has fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, a semi-sweet yellow flesh of high eating quality and an attractive, very high percentage red skin. The tree is of medium size and is vigorous. Moreover fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus persica var. nucipersica.

Variety denomination: ‘Nectaroyal’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, Prunus persica var. nucipersica, which has been given the variety denomination ‘Nectaroyal’. This new tree produces fruit with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone flesh fruit for fresh market in July in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. Contrast is made to ‘Zaimigo’, ‘Zaitabo’ (Big Top®), ‘Red Jim’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,518) and ‘Armking’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,943) nectarines, standard varieties, for reliable description. ‘Nectaroyal’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has an early flowering, fruit with very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and so a very durable fruit.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘Nectaroyal’ nectarine tree originated in a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement where it was tested. The ‘Nectaroyal’ variety results from an open pollinated cross of an unnamed nectarine tree which was used as the seed parent. The unnamed nectarine tree was originated by using ‘Zaitabo’ (Big Top®) nectarine as seed parent and ‘Armking’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,943) nectarine as pollen parent. As the pollen of the unnamed nectarine tree is mature before flowers blooming, self-pollination of the unnamed plant was probable. ‘Nectaroyal’ was provisionally designated, tested and genetically identified by a genetic profile, as 01.23.15.02 NJ and is registered at the Official Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of the French Republic Dec. 17, 2003 under number 1014088. It was propagated by grafting. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of this standard rootstock on this scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree blooms in early March at Perpignan in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. More particularly, it blooms from 7 days before ‘Zaitabo’ (Big Top®) and 10 days before ‘Andano’ (Red Diamond®) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,165) varieties, between 28^(th) February and 16^(th) of March.

The first fruit of ‘Nectaroyal’ ripens in July at the same time as the first fruit of ‘Red Jim’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,518) variety, nearly 45 days after the first fruit of ‘Zaitabo’ (Big Top®) variety. More particularly, it approximately ripens between August 14^(st) and 24^(th).

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which depicts the reverse and side view of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows a typical specimen of the fruit, the leaf and branch of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which shows a twig bearing typical leaves; a dorsal view of a single leaf; two whole fruit sufficiently mature for harvesting and shipment; and a third fruit which has been cut in half with the pit being left in one of the halves for depicting fruit flesh, pit cavity and stone of the new variety.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘Nectaroyal’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and medium to large stature half-standing in a semi-upright aspect. The flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. Flowering begins early in springtime. The type of flower is showy with relative medium petal size. Petals are pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. Time of maturity for consumption is semi-late. The fruit flesh is orange-yellow with red pigmentation around the stone and its skin is very thick, dark red with an orange-red background. The stone is medium size and the flesh is very adherent. Fruit taste is semi-sweet.

Compared to ‘Zaimigo’ variety, ‘Nectaroyal’ has the same time of maturity. Shelf life of fruit is long instead of being short. Fruit taste is sweeter. Fruit are bigger.

Compared to ‘Red Jim’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,518) fruit, ‘Nectaroyal’ fruit ripens at the same time in middle of August, and have a longest shelf life. The red coloration is higher, 90% instead of 60%.

Moreover fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has been observed during the second fruiting season under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been made on rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ tree. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

TREE

-   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered medium large as compared to other             common commercial nectarine cultivars. The tree size the             first year was approximately 280 cm. The tree was pruned             during each following dormant season to a height of             approximately 250 cm. Current seasons shoots growth could             reach 80 cm. So the tree size from the second year (second             and next years) reached a final height of 330 cm with             current seasons shots length comprised. -   Spread: Approximately 1.0 meter. The whole orchard was oriented to a     central leader organisation, with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters     and trees spaced of 1 meter in a same tree line. -   Vigor: Considered moderately vigorous. The present variety grew from     about 200 cm to 280 cm in height during the first growing season.     For second and following seasons, the variety was pruned to an     approximate height of 250 cm. -   Productivity: Very Productive. Fruit set is spaced by thinning to     develop the remaining fruit into the desired market sized fruit. The     number of the fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic     conditions and cultural practices employed during the bloom period,     and is therefore not distinctive of the present variety. -   Bearer: Very regular. A thinning of 1 fruits on 3 was necessary for     the tree valorisation. Thinning may not be too important because of     the high magnifying potential of the fruit. Thinning was necessary     every year during the past 4 years. -   Form: The ‘Nectaroyal’ variety has naturally a semi-upright     standing. -   Density: Considered medium dense and dense. -   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The     variety appears to be hardy under typical central     Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions. Experimentation     on different sites with winter chilling requirement comprised     between 350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good behaviour of the tree     in all cases. No damages were caused by ascertained temperatures as     low as −12 degrees Celsius. The tree was also very resistant to     frosty springtime weather.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Approximately between 8.8 cm and 9.5 cm in diameter when     measured at a distance of approximately 30 cm above the soil level,     on trees from the second growing season. The branching begins at 50     cm above the soil level. -   Bark texture: Considered moderately rough, with numerous folds of     papery scarfskin being present. -   Lenticels: Numerous lenticels are present on trees from the second     growing season. The lenticels range in size from approximately 5.0     millimeters to 8.0 millimeters in width, and approximately 2.5     millimeters in height. -   Lenticel color: The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey color     (RHS Grey 201 D to RHS Black 202 D), whereas the inside is     considered brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166B). -   Bark coloration: The bark has a silvery-grey color a little more     pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS Grey 201 C to RHS Black     202 C).

BRANCHES

-   Size: Mature branches are considered medium to thick for the     variety, and current season shoots are considered medium for the     variety. -   Diameter: Average as compared to other nectarine varieties. The     current season shoots have a diameter from 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters,     and branches of trees from the second growing season have a diameter     about 32.0 millimeters. -   Surface texture: Average, wood which is several years old has no     furrowed appearance. -   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable, but the     crotch angles are generally between 45 degrees and 55 degrees from     the horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is not     considered distinctive of the variety, however. -   Current season shoots:     -   -   Surface texture.—Substantially glabrous. -   Internode length: Generally 25.0 millimeters to 33.0 millimeters. -   Color of mature branches: Medium brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A). -   Current seasons shoots:     -   -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered a light             yellow green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A-B) on lower part of new             shoot tips, whereas the upper part is colored in             brown-orange (RHS Greyed Orange 173 B-C-D).

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered large for the species. Leaf measurements have been     taken from vigorous, upright, current-season growth at approximately     mid-shoot. The ratio leaf length/leaf width is above 4. -   Leaf length: Approximately 130.0 to 200.0 millimeters with leaf     petiole. -   Leaf width: Approximately 37.0 to 57.0 millimeters. -   Leaf base shape: Slightly oblique relative to the leaf longitudinal     axis. -   Leaf form: Lanceolate. -   Leaf tip form: Acuminate. -   Leaf color:     -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark Green (RHS Green 137 A).         -   Lower surface.—Medium Green (RHS Green 137 B to 137 C). -   Leaf texture: Smooth and glabrous. -   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined. -   Mid-vein:     -   -   Color.—Light yellow green (RHS Yellow Green 144 D to 144 C). -   Leaf margins: Slightly undulating. -   Form: Considered slightly dentate. -   Uniformity: Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In this last     case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one or two smaller     leaves (size-reduction of 50% and more). -   Leaf petioles:     -   -   Size.—Considered long.         -   Length.—About 10.0 to about 18.0 mm.         -   Diameter.—About 1.8 to about 2.4 mm.         -   Color.—Light yellow green (RHS Yellow Green 144 D to 144 C). -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium. Their length is about 1.5             millimeters.         -   Number.—Generally 2 or 3 glands.         -   Type.—Reniform.         -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a             pale green (RHS Green 144 B). On older leaves, leaf glands             color turn to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to 199 B). -   Leaf stipules:     -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in             the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is             possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a             normal-size leaf and smaller ones.

FLOWERS

-   Flower buds:     -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is             evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just             before blooming, floral buds are approximately 10.0             millimeters wide and approximately 18.0 millimeters long. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of             the flowers buds, formed by sepals, is of purple-brown color             (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A); the corolla, formed by petals, is             generally of pale pink color (RHS Red Purple 69 C). Petals             color shows an evolution until the end of flowering. The             buds are considered hardy under typical central             Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions. -   Hardiness: No winter injury was noted during the last several years     of evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement, with     winter temperatures as low as −12° C. in December or January. The     current variety has not been intentionally subjected to drought or     heat stress, but the variety showed a very good resistance in     orchard to temperatures up to 42° C. with an average temperature     between 28° C. and 30° C. during 3 weeks in summer. -   Date of bloom: Generally early March. The first bloom, observed on     Feb. 18, 2002, was exceptionally early. Second and third blooms took     place respectively on Mar. 2, 2003 and Feb. 28, 2004. -   Blooming time: Considered early-season in relative comparison to     other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the     Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full bloom is     observed on March. The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic     conditions and cultural practices. Thus the first full bloom was     observed on Feb. 27, 2002, second full bloom on Mar. 11, 2003 and     third full bloom on Mar. 9, 2004. -   Duration of bloom: Approximately 18 days. This characteristic varies     slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. -   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a showy type flower. -   Flower size: Considered medium. Flower diameter at full bloom is     approximately 31.0 to 36.0 millimeters. -   Bloom quantity: Considered abundant, approximately 35 flowers per     meter. -   Flower bud frequency: Generally 2 flower buds appear per node,     occasionally 1. -   Petal size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered medium for the species. -   Length: Generally about 19.0 millimeters. -   Width: Generally about 18.0 millimeters. -   Petal form: Round-shaped. -   Petal count: Nearly always 5. -   Petal texture: Smooth and glabrous. -   Petal color: Pink (RHS Red Purple 69 A) when young, darkening with     advancing senescence. -   Fragrance: Slight. -   Petal claw:     -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a conic form with a             slightly rounded extremity.         -   Length.—Approximately 8.0 to 10.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 6.0 to 8.0 millimeters. -   Petal margins: Generally slightly undulated. -   Petal apex:     -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally entire at the tip,             and dome-shaped. -   Flower pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Considered medium and having an average length of             approximately 3.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 2.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—A medium brown (RHS Grey Brown N199 B to C). -   Floral nectaries:     -   -   Color.—A flat golden orange (approximately RHS Greyed Red             178 C-B). -   Calyx:     -   -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—The outer surface of the calyx is considered of             Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A) color. -   Sepals:     -   -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine             pubescent texture.         -   Size.—Average.         -   Color.—A flat Red (approximately RHS Greyed Red 178 A). -   Average number of stamens per flower: Approximately comprised     between 60 and 90 stamens per flower. -   Anthers:     -   -   Generally.—Average in length.         -   Color.—Red to orange-red color (approximately RHS Greyed             Purple 178 A Group). Anthers are becoming yellow at             maturity. -   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow color     (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B-C). The present variety is     considered self fruitful (self-pollinating). -   Filaments:     -   -   Size.—Variable in length, approximately 11.0 to 16.0             millimeters in length. In all cases filament's length is             superior or equal to pistil's length. -   Color: Considered light pink (approximately RHS Red Purple 62 C-D). -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually 1, rarely 2.         -   Generally.—Average in size.         -   Length.—Approximately 15.0 to 21.0 millimeters including the             ovary; Smaller or equal to filament's length.         -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (varying from RHS Yellow             Green 150 D Group to RHS Yellow Green 151 D Group).         -   Surface texture.—Glabrous.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe condition (shipping ripe). -   Date of first picking: Aug. 15, 2003. -   Date of last picking: Aug. 24, 2003. The date of harvest varies     slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘Nectaroyal’     variety has a semi-late date of picking, and a grouped maturity:     only 2 harvests in about 10 days were necessary. -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large to very large, with a             homogeneous size between them. -   Average cheek diameter: Approximately 80.0 millimeters. -   Average axial diameter: Approximately between 72.0 and 75.0     millimeters. -   Typical weight: Generally between 230.0 grams and 270.0 grams. This     characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing cultural     practices, and therefore is not particularly distinctive of the     variety. -   Fruit form:     -   -   Generally.—Round to slightly oblate. The fruit is generally             uniform in symmetry, viewed from pistil end. -   Fruit suture: Very shallow and smooth, extending from the base to     the apex. No apparent collousing or stitching exists along the     suture line. -   Suture:     -   -   Color.—This has generally a color similar to the whole fruit             color, a dark red (RHS Greyed Purple 185 A) on a red-orange             background (RHS Orange Red N 34 A to RHS Orange Red 34B). -   Ventral surface:     -   -   Form.—Smooth. -   Apex: Non prominent, slightly depressed, very small. -   Base: Shallow. -   Stem cavity: Generally elongated in the suture plane. Average depth     of the stem cavity is about 0.75 cm. Average width is about 1.80 cm. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Considered very thick and strong, and tenacious             to moderately tenacious to the flesh depending on stage of             maturity.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Taste.—Semi-sweet.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed. -   Color:     -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is an homogenous dark red (RHS             Greyed Purple 185 A). The red blush covers 80% to 90% of the             fruit skin surface. The percentage of the blush on the fruit             skin surface can vary, and is generally dependant upon the             prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown.         -   Ground color.—The ground color appears on 10% to 20% of the             fruit skin surface, and is considered a bright orange-red             (RHS Orange Red N 34A to RHS Orange Red 34B). -   Fruit stem: Medium in length, approximately 8.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately 4.0 millimeters. -   Color: Pale green (RHS Yellow-Green 145A to 145 B). -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Very evenly, homogenous, slow.         -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, juicy at harvest maturity             stage.         -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.         -   Aroma.—Pronounced.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good and spicy.         -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is elevated and             acidity is comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. The flavor             is considered spicy.         -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.         -   Brix.—Generally superior to 13.0 degrees. This             characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per             tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding             climatic conditions.         -   Flesh color.—Orange-yellow flesh (RHS Yellow 16 B), with             star-shaped red pigmentation around the stone (RHS Red 45 A             to 45 B).

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone. -   Size: Considered medium for the variety. The stone size varies     significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and     prevailing growing conditions. -   Length: Approximately 35.0 millimeters to 36.0 millimeters. -   Width: Approximately 26.0 millimeters to 28.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately 20.0 millimeters. -   Form: Elliptic. -   Base: Straight. -   Apex:     -   -   Shape.—The stone apex has a small prominent tip. -   Stone cavity: Considered medium size, with an elliptic-form and     dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions. -   Stone surface:     -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its             entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.             The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent             generally and present basally.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more             prominent at the apical tip. -   Ventral edge:     -   -   Width.—Considered small to medium, and having a dimension of             approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture. -   Dorsal edge:     -   -   Shape.—Grooved. -   Stone color: The color of the dry stone is generally considered an     orange to red-brown (RHS Greyed Orange 176 D to RHS Greyed Red 178     B). -   Tendency to split: Splitting is absent or very low, depending on     climatic conditions between blooming period and stone hardening. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium.         -   Length.—About 18.0 to 20.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—About 13.0 to 14.0 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—About 5.0 to 7.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Considered oblate and elliptic.         -   Pellicle.—Pubescent.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is a light brown (RHS Greyed Orange             167 A). The almond is cream-white (RHS Orange Chite 159 D).             The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit             maturity. -   Use: The subject variety ‘Nectaroyal’ is considered to be a     nectarine tree of the very early season of maturity, and which     produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively colored.     Fruits are excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or at full     maturity. Due to their flesh quality, firmness and density, they can     also be commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or     fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for both local     and very long distance shipping. -   Keeping quality: Excellent. Fruit stayed a little more than one week     on tree before harvest and then, has stored well more than 4 weeks     after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius. They have a slow maturation and     a long shelf life both on the tree after growth completion and after     harvesting without alteration. -   Shipping quality: Considered very good. The fruit of the new     nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin     damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and packing     procedures. Its resistance to handling during harvest and packing     and its long shelf life without alteration after harvest easily     permit 3 weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius. -   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities     were noted. The present variety is not very sensitive to powdery     mildew, or conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and     strong skin.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet yellow flesh of high eating quality and an attractive skin, with a very high percentage of red blush. 